Stabilize wood

[Donn Fishburn]

I have some pinon pine that was cut last summer and now has a lot of cracking. I'd like to do a lot of practicing with this including trying a half-log bowl. What can I use to stabilize the wood before turning that won't discolor the wood? I once tried filling some voids with colored epoxy and it soaked into the wood and made it pretty unusable.

 

[Jim McLain]

Donn - I have turned a little pinon over the years but have always turned it green. Once turned I soak my pieces in pentacryl to help stabilize them, but you could use green wood sealer. These logs might be destined for the fire wood pile but you might try cutting them back to unchecked wood and practice with what is left.

 

[Jim McLain]

I have some pinon pine that was cut last summer and now has a lot of cracking. I'd like to do a lot of practicing with this including trying a half-log bowl. What can I use to stabilize the wood before turning that won't discolor the wood? I once tried filling some voids with colored epoxy and it soaked into the wood and made it pretty unusable.
View attachment 51205

See above

 

[Todd A Williams]

Maybe read this article, I use soap and it works pretty good.